Item of clothing with a plurality of pockets with differentiated access, fitted with opening/closing means of zipper type

ABSTRACT

An item of clothing includes a first pocket having first opening/closing means to respectively allow and inhibit access to the first pocket and a second pocket having second opening/closing means to respectively allow and inhibit access to the second pocket. The first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means are aligned and at least partially overlapped to allow simultaneous insertion of a hand through the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means, when opened to access the second pocket through the first pocket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102019000022779 filed on Dec. 3, 2019, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an item of clothing with a plurality of pockets, with differentiated access, fitted with respective opening/closing means of zipper type. The present invention has several applications in the clothing sector. As better described below, a particular and advantageous application relates to high mountain clothing, especially in case an avalanche beacon (an apparatus for locating avalanche victims) is worn in the event of an avalanche.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, items of clothing provided with a plurality of pockets allow different inner access compartments (delimited by the pockets themselves) being separated from each other. Pockets are usually provided with opening/closing means, conventionally, but not exclusively, of the zipper type, with press-studs and the like.

Access to the inner pockets, becomes a slow and complicated operation, since wearers have to open a first pocket to be able to insert a hand, reach the opening/closing means of the second pocket and open them.

This operation is even more inconvenient when the first pocket is not empty, but full of objects which may hinder wearers from reaching the opening/closing means of the second pocket.

In the specific case of mountain clothing, the item of clothing itself is an impediment to reaching the avalanche beacon which, as is known, to be worn correctly, must be:

-   -   a) fastened with the supplied harness thereof,     -   b) positioned just below the heart. and     -   c) positioned in contact with the skin or just above the first         layer of clothing.

In the event of an avalanche accident, the survival curve (FIG. 1) shows that 18 min is the targeted time to reach victims and have 90% probability of survival. All rescue operations must be performed in the shortest possible time.

The first operation consists in switching off the avalanche beacon.

In the presence of large groups (10/15 people) and beginners, even such a “simple operation” may require a few minutes (1-2 min).

Every minute is precious and each minute that passes drastically reduces the chances of survival of the victims, who must be identified and extracted as soon as possible.

Operations for reaching and subsequently switching off the avalanche beacon by survivors are complicated by the fact that they must undo various layers of clothing to reach the avalanche beacon which, as seen, is positioned at heart height, in direct contact with the skin. This operation, in addition to being slow, also considering the fact that the individuals are wearing gloves, is also dangerous, since survivors, to reach the avalanche beacon, are often forced to undress, taking off various layers of clothing while being in an open environment with adverse weather conditions, often at very low temperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need is felt to overcome the drawbacks and limitations mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

Said need is met by an item of clothing as described and claimed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more comprehensible from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the survival curve of the victims of an avalanche;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of an item of clothing according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an item of clothing according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in a first operative condition;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of an item of clothing according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in a second operative condition; and

FIGS. 5-6 show enlarged details of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Elements or parts in common to the embodiments described will be indicated hereinafter using the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the Figures, 4 generally indicates an item of clothing according to the present invention.

It should be noted that the concept of clothing item must be understood in a broad and non-limiting sense, as it may comprise not only jackets, but also pouches, purses, bags and similar items. The aforementioned applications of the present invention must however be considered in purely exemplary, not restrictive or exhaustive, terms.

The item of clothing 4 comprises a first pocket 8 provided with first opening/closing means 12 to respectively allow and inhibit access to the first pocket 8 itself. The first pocket 8 is preferably a closed pocket; it is also possible, in case of a jacket with several layers, for such first pocket 8 to be open, i.e., to include one or more open sides.

The item of clothing 4 further comprises a second pocket 16 provided with second opening/closing means 20 to respectively allow and inhibit access to the second pocket 16 itself.

The second pocket 16 is preferably a closed pocket; it is also possible, in case of a jacket with several layers, for such second pocket 16 to be open, i.e., to include one or more open sides.

It should be noted that the concept of pocket must be understood in a broad sense. In other words, pocket may comprise both a ‘closed’ pocket, i.e., provided with an access opening, with respective opening/closing means, and a closed bottom, and a pocket having an access opening, with respective opening/closing means and an at least partially open bottom. In any case, the bottom may be closed, at least partially open, and it may also be equipped with additional opening/closing means which may be used if necessary.

The first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing means 20 are aligned and at least partially overlapped so as to allow the simultaneous insertion of a hand through the first opening/closing 12 means and the second opening/closing means 20, when opened to access the second pocket 16 through the first pocket 8.

In other words, the first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing means 20 are mutually positioned so as to allow wearers to easily access the contents of the second pocket 16 passing through the first pocket 8, thereby they are mutually aligned. Alignment and overlapping may be total in case the first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing means 20 are equal to each other in terms of extension and size and perfectly overlapped. Alternatively, the first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing 20 means may be only partially overlapped.

Preferably, the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means 16, 20 are zippers respectively equipped with a first slider 24 and a second slider 28 with respective first pull 32 and second pull 36.

Each slider 24, 28 slides on a respective first chain 40 and second chain 44 provided with teeth, in a known manner. For the purposes of the present invention, the specific type, material or geometry of the teeth are not relevant.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first slider 24 and the second slider 28 are mechanically separate and independent of each other. In such embodiment, opening/closing, therefore actuation, of the two sliders 24, 28 is completely independent. Therefore, a user, after having opened the first opening/closing means 12 by the first slider 24, will have access to the second opening/closing means 20 and, if these are closed, the user will have to open them during a second step to have access to the inside of the second pocket 16.

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the first slider 24 of the first opening/closing means 12 is mechanically connected to the second slider 28 of the second opening/closing means 20, so that the first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing means 20 may be opened and closed simultaneously by exclusively acting on the first slider 24. In other words, by virtue of the mechanical connection between the first slider 24 and the second slider 28, by acting on the first slider 24 it is also possible to simultaneously act on the second slider 28. Therefore, it is possible, with a single manual operation on the first slider 24, to simultaneously open both the first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing means 20 to directly access the contents of the second pocket 16 from the outside.

The aforementioned mechanical connection between the first slider 24 and the second slider 28 may be achieved in various manners.

For example, an embodiment is provided in which the first pull 32 of the first slider 24 is mechanically connected to the second pull 36 of the second slider 28.

Said mechanical connection may comprise a cord, a small chain or a lace and similar connection means 70. In fact, such connection means 70 act on the second slider 28 as a pull.

According to a further embodiment, the first slider 24 is at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the second slider 28 in order to achieve a shape coupling that mechanically connects said first and second sliders 24, 28.

According to a further possible embodiment, the first slider 24 and the second slider 28 are operatively connected to each other by ferromagnetic means (or a magnet, in general) so as to slide in unison even without a mechanical connection or a direct contact.

According to an embodiment, the first pocket 8 is equipped with an auxiliary slider 48, mechanically separate and independent of the first slider 24 and the second slider 28.

Preferably, said auxiliary slider 48 is associated with the first chain 40 of the first opening/closing means 12, on the opposite side with respect to the first slider 24. In other words, the first opening/closing means 12 comprise a first chain 40 with teeth with which the first slider 24 and the auxiliary slider 48 are associated, on axially opposite sides, configured to open and close the first chain 40. This means that the user may indistinctly act on the first slider 24 and on the auxiliary slider 48 from the outside to obtain distinct effects. In fact, by acting on the first slider 24 by opening it, the user has the possibility of simultaneously moving also the second slider 28, connected to the first slider 24, so as to also open the second opening/closing means 20 and have access to the second pocket 16. Instead, by acting on the auxiliary slider 48, the user is limited to opening or closing the first opening/closing means 12, so as to have access exclusively to the first pocket 8.

Further embodiments of the opening/closing means are also provided.

The first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing means 20 may comprise edges fitted with fabric fitted with Velcro or press-stud opening/closing means (not shown).

In such embodiment, a first edge of the first opening/closing means 12 is mechanically connected to a second edge of the second opening/closing means 20, so that the first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing means 20 can be opened and closed simultaneously by acting on said first edge.

Preferably, in such ‘pull-open’ embodiment, the second opening/closing means 20 must be calibrated so as to be more yielding with respect to the first opening/closing means 12. Consequently, by acting on the first opening/closing means 12 by pulling them open, it will be ensured that also the second opening/closing means 20 will automatically be pulled open, so as to directly access inside the second pocket 16.

As mentioned above, the present invention relates to the clothing sector in a broad sense.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, in terms of safety, said item of clothing is a jacket comprising a first layer or outer covering 52, provided with the first pocket, 8 and a second layer or inner covering 56, provided with the second pocket 16.

Advantageously, in such embodiment, the first opening/closing means 12 and the second opening/closing means 20 are positioned at the front of the jacket at chest height. Therefore, if users wear an avalanche beacon at chest height and in direct contact with the skin, in case of need, by acting on the first slider, they may open both the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means 20 with a single manual operation, and thus have direct access to the second pocket 16 to take the avalanche beacon, without having to undress.

Obviously the number of layers, and therefore of pockets and respective opening/closing means, may be increased as desired. Three opening/closing means may be used, each equipped with a slider, with a respective pull.

Moreover, the first slider 24 may be operatively connected to the second slider 28 and to a third slider 68, all aligned and at least partially overlapped.

Furthermore the first slider, the second slider 28 and the third slider 68 may be operatively connected to each other; thereby, by acting on the first pull 32 of the first slider 24 it is possible to open and close both the second opening/closing means 20 and the third opening/closing means 60 which regulate the access to a respective third pocket 64 by the third slider 68 with a respective third pull 72.

As it may be appreciated from the above description, the item of clothing of the present invention allows to overcome the drawbacks introduced in the prior art.

In particular, the item of clothing of the present invention allows to facilitate and significantly reduce time to reach the avalanche beacon, when worn in a high mountain jacket.

In addition, the item of clothing of the present invention allows rescuers to be left dressed appropriately so as to perform rescue operations more efficiently.

Also in case of use of a different item of clothing, including a bag or a pouch, the item of the present invention allows accessing the pockets independently (by accessing the first pocket and subsequently the second pocket or a third pocket) or by means of a direct access to the second or third pocket, by acting on the first slider operatively connected to the second slider and/or to the third slider.

Those skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, may make several modifications and variations to the items of clothing described above, without departing from the scope of protection, as described and claimed herein. 

1. An item of clothing comprising: a first pocket comprising first opening/closing means to respectively allow and inhibit access to said first pocket, a second pocket comprising second opening/closing means to respectively allow and inhibit access to said second pocket, wherein: the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means are aligned and at least partially overlapped so as to allow simultaneous insertion of a hand through the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means, when opened to access the second pocket through the first pocket.
 2. The item of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means are zippers respectively comprising a first slider and a second slider with respective first pull and second pull, each slider sliding on a respective first chain and second chain provided with teeth.
 3. The item of clothing of claim 2, wherein said first slider and second slider are mechanically separate and independent of each other.
 4. The item of clothing of claim 2, wherein the first slider of the first opening/closing means is operatively connected to the second slider of the second opening/closing means, so that the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means are openable and closable simultaneously by acting on the first slider.
 5. The item of clothing of claim 2, wherein the first pull of the first slider is mechanically connected to the second pull of the second slider.
 6. The item of clothing of claim 5, wherein mechanical connection comprises a cord or a lace.
 7. The item of clothing of claim 5, wherein the first slider is at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the second slider to achieve a shape coupling that mechanically connects said first slider and second slider.
 8. The item of clothing of claim 4, wherein the first slider and the second slider are operatively connected by ferromagnetic means.
 9. The item of clothing of claim 2, wherein the first pocket comprises an auxiliary slider, mechanically separate and independent of the first slider and the second slider.
 10. The item of clothing of claim 9, wherein said auxiliary slider is associated with the first chain of the first opening/closing means, on an opposite side with respect to the first slider.
 11. The item of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means comprise edges fitted with fabric fitted with Velcro or press-stud opening/closing means.
 12. The item of clothing of claim 11, wherein a first edge of the first opening/closing means is mechanically connected to a second edge of the second opening/closing means, so that the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means are openable and closable simultaneously by acting on said first edge.
 13. The item of clothing of claim 11, wherein the second opening/closing means are calibrated to be more yielding than the first opening/closing means.
 14. The item of clothing of claim 1, wherein said item of clothing is a jacket comprising a first layer or outer covering with the first pocket and a second layer or inner covering with the second pocket, wherein the first opening/closing means and the second opening/closing means are positioned at a front side of the jacket at chest height. 